First, let me state that I am in no way Roman Catholic. I am Protestant as they come. However, I did stumble across a recipe for fruitcake that looked rather good in my RC mother's RC Cookbook. Hence the name I gave it, the Catholic Fruitcake. It is not referring to anyone in particular.Anyway, my fruits have been macerating in half a bottle of Remy Martin VSOP Cognac since early December, in anticipation of Christmas. That came and went like Katrina, and up to the frist week of January, the raisins were still getting plumper by the day, enjoying their brandy spa. Any longer and they'd have turned back into grapes.
So, since last last week was quiet, viz a viz cake orders, I decided to end the raisin's holiday, and get them in the oven. I had picked up a tip while bantering with other tai tais (or see lais, not sure which were they) in Bake With Yen, to use brown paper to line the baking tray. Fruit cakes need thick paper lining, and rather than using layers of baking paper, apparently this was a better and cheaper alternative. Of course the innermost layer has to be baking paper.
As fruit cakes take forever to bake, I could put it in the oven, go 1 utama jalan jalan, come home to take it out just in time. Of all cakes, I think fruit cakes are the most painful to make. Takes forever to bake, cant be eaten immediately, needs constant follow up, by feeding it with brandy.... I honestly dont think its worth my while to offer these for sale. Half a bottle of brandy, already cost like RM50. What, am I to charge RM100 for a 4" x 4" block? Who'll buy???
Verdict : Well, after "maturing" (it's probably still a toddler by fruitcake standards) fro 1½ weeks, I couldn't wait any longer, and proceeded to cut a slice to sample. It was okay then. Yesterday, I proceeded to the second row, ie, no side crusts. I have to say that it was rather good. Easy to cut too, which is a good sign, ie, moist enough.
Oh well, whoever wants a sample, email me. I'll pass you a morsel. (size of those slices of wedding cake they give out at hotels).
21 comments:
This is oh-so-funny! I like the thought of wrinkly raisins turning into plump grapes fr their brandy spa!
I don't mind a sampling!
okie, if i go leon's concert this saturday, i'll bring some along. but tentatively i am thinking of going mjh since it's KT's last class before he go singapore.
Go for KT la. Last chance.I am going manulife tue, anyway the longer the cake is steeped in brandy the nicer rite?(Leon doing 2 performances this sat tho. U can debut yr jam this sat too actually!)
eh, finger laidat still can bake aar?
Free sampling! My top 2 favourite words in their own complete sentence! Save me a tiny bit, k?
sunshine, did i say "concert"? GOSH, I meant class of course.
HL - well, the fruit cake was done before finger laidat, but these few days, cant do anything requiring kneading. (with 2 hands).
tummy - will save u a slice.
it was nice meeting you again! i enjoyed reading your blogs and i have to try some of your cakes soon so expect an email from me :)
wahhhh! sounds so good. Can I try some too?
tracy, great meeting you too!!!! its been yonks!
boo, i hope i remember to bring you a sample at the martell dinner. very stressful giving food to a gourmet, it's like sitting an exam where the examiner is someone u so in awe of...
v funny, if fruit cakes r too long and difficult to make I suggst u bake normal std cakes then cut them up in the middle to insert some pieces of fruits mix (like da magnificent tropical 5?) & just call them fruit cakes. neat?
Guess they will be winners all the way ! Save u time so u can go jogging b 4 u hit the holes?
btw tks again the coming party but I am still stuck in Ipoh and the other one is in Club Med going Laos. Enjoy yrselves and take meiyens pretty pixs ok . make sure boo is in too.
Your sampling service, does it include overseas customers?
i'm sure you've got the wrong person tonixe. hit the holes? as in golf? not me lah. jogging yes though.
heh heh, i dont think ms boolicious will allow her pics published. she, like me, very shy one.
must create a cake with the magnificent 5 huh, and name it after you.
hmmm, i'm thinking a kinda trifle cake.
a base with cempedak cake, followed by a layer of rambutan and langsat jelly, followed by a layer of durian custard, and another layer of purple whipped cream from the dye of the mangosteen, with mangosteen bits. how? can work ah?
eureka u got it !
finally da FBB creme de la creme mother of all fruit cakes !
make sure u let us try first ! TQ TQ
I want a morsel or two or three...I love those little pieces of cake given out at the Chinese wedding banquet...so cute and a nice wrap for the 8-course dinner. Cry cry, I really miss attending those banquets...such good food. Malaysians really do eat very well. :)
unkaleong, fruit cake can keep for a year, apparently. i'll save a morsel for when i meet you.
RM dear, u could probably whip up the banquet yourself, and better quality too!!!
tonixe, but get the go ahead by culinary see foo first, boolicious.
so happy to have found your blog!great reading about all your experiences and tips!
LOL! Love your comment about Protestant as they come! I'm Catholic and proud of it! But am of the opinion it's like 6 of one thing and half a dozen of another! ;-)
The fruit cake sounds good! ;-) And love the metaphors.
Nigel
wooo... can post laju a piece to Penang?
I have no idea that fruit cake takes such a long journey before it goes into the tummy...LOL
sam, thanks for dropping by.
ohmy, a visit from two ethereal beings, heavenly and angel. must be my lucky day.
thanks nige, very honored. its like having the dean of a college going thru your homework personally.
angel, whats the last leg of the journey from KL to penang....only question is, is it worth it? have passed out samples to the goddess of the floggers, boolicious, and mei yen. let us hear her verdict before deciding if its worthwhile to sample, or is headed for the nearest alam flora.
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